Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Tuesday that Cliff Lee (elbow) is "very close to picking up a ball." Lee has been shut down since May 19 because of a left elbow strain and is likely at least a month away from being an option for the Phillies' starting rotation. If the veteran left-hander can make it back before the July 31 trade deadline, he will be a prime candidate to be moved. As it stands, there's no timetable for his return.